Jim Calhoun Comments On UConn's First Practice

There have probably been two times during his career that Jim Calhoun was totally and completely satisfied -- after national championship games in 1999 and 2004.

He's certainly rarely, if ever, pleased after a season's first practice. Calhoun coached UConn for 3 1/2 hours Saturday and didn't quite see what he was looking for. That's not to say it was terrible, but Calhoun walked out of Gampel Pavilion wishing he had seen more than he did from his inexperienced team.

"The greatest discovery was the that we are faced with -- and no one really cares, nor should they -- we are very young," Calhoun said. "We played young. I think we are a smart team, and we didn't show it. Mental toughness is OK. Shape is great. They went a while today."

Calhoun continued to be encouraged by his team's potential.

"They've given us a great summer effort, a great fall effort," he said. "But I discovered things today, some good, some not so good."

The first practice is never going to be smooth, particularly with six new players.

"It's a lot different, Kemba Walker said. "I think some of the drills took a little more time. ... It's definitely different to have a lot of young guys. We've got to move on. Guys got to get it fast. We don't want them to think that they're young, just because of the role they have to play. A lot of them are going to play major minutes and contribute a lot to this team. It's kind of what I expected. First day. A lot of guys were the man on their high school teams, did whatever they want, just like every guy in college. But it's different than high school."

Asked who stood out, Calhoun said, "I can't say anybody shocked me one way or another. No one shocked me."

Calhoun offered some more thoughts on his team: "This team has to space. I do think we have the potential to be a better shooting team. ... I looked forward to this day because I think there can be interesting things that could happen. They didn't happen today, so I'm not going to make any kind of proclamation. But I saw some things today, I've felt some things all along, and I saw glimpses today. ... More importantly, I didn't see a collective glimpse. That's what I wanted, just at one point in time to have a dominating collective glimpse of what this quick, pretty good shooting team, can show. The glimpse was so small today."

Alex Oriakhi said, "I knew it was going to be shakey as far as execution, because it's the first day. That's what I expected. But we'll do a lot better. [Calhoun] seemed like the way he usually is. I'm happy the freshman got to see how he really is. No more Mr. Nice Guy."

Roscoe Smith on Calhoun and practice: "He's different. But that's what I came in for. I like that. I love that. The toughest thing? Probably the running. After we run, you get right back into it. It was a lot of running."

3 Comments

Calhoun seems to relish the idea of leaving the program in worse shape than when he found it. This team, and this is no reflection on the kids, is going to struggle to win 10 games, even with the stinkers Jimbo has for openers. Why he didn't quit leaves only one answer - greed. Hold your nose, this is going to be a stinky season.

wow what a season you had And I must say you guys did leave everything on the floor. My god your champions. Unreal season you had. Great Great job coach.you set all odds and made the odds makers look stupid....And how much I do love that...Thanks.